Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform Act review: make a submission

Submissions due by 11:59pm AEDT Wednesday 17 February.

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is conducting a review of the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Act 2018.

The Committee needs to hear from us. Let’s speak up for a political system that is transparent, accountable and free from corruption, so that this message is heard loud and clear by the Committee, and by our government.

The review is our opportunity to show just how much public support there is for transparency and controls over the huge amount of money flowing into our political system – money that currently makes our precious democracy vulnerable to undue influence from vested interests like coal, oil, and gas companies.

Not sure what to write? See the handy talking points and suggested structure from Jolene Elberth, our Democracy Campaigner.

Remember to partner these talking points with your own words and ideas – unique, personalised submissions are the most powerful and persuasive.

Note: Submissions are public and include your name but not your address or contact details. You may request to make an anonymous submission.

Talking points and suggested structure

First, briefly introduce yourself. Share 1-2 sentences about who you are. This helps to make your submission unique.

Second, identify the problem/s this bill should address. You can copy and paste some or all of these points:

• Large political donations are dangerous for our democracy. Donations allow those who can afford it extra opportunities to meet with and influence decision makers, far beyond what is available to the average voter. This disproportionate access risks creating undue influence on our democracy and diminishes public trust in our political processes.
• The 2019-2020 donations data revealed that coal, oil, and gas companies gave over $1.3 million dollars to the major parties. Gas companies and peak bodies gave over $698,000 to the major political parties. As the government pushes a ‘gas-led recovery’, contrary to the science and the economics, the community have grounds to worry the gas industry has achieved unfair influence.
• The severe lack of transparency in our political finance system means we only have a partial picture of money in the system. This year alone, over $38 million to the major parties has no identifiable source. We deserve to know who is funding our political parties.

Third, talk about the solution and what you want the Committee to do. Urge the Committee to support reforms to:

• Cap the amount that can be donated to political parties and candidates.
• Real time disclosure of all political donations.
• Increased transparency by lowering the donation disclosure threshold (currently $14,300).

Lastly, sign off and include your contact details. Your submission must include your full name, address, email address and phone number to be considered by the Committee. Submissions are public and will include your name – your other details will be kept private. You can request that your submission be anonymised.

Header image: Annette Ruzicka